closer to the mansion. Then the next day go farther afield,” Samuel suggested.
“Yes, that would be good and I’ll start with the village. I spoke with the senior staff and they have several who live in or near town. They’ll pass the word to be on the lookout for strangers. I feel strongly within two days the entire district will be alerted,” Eli added, just as Peter stepped in to announce dinner.
Chapter Fifteen
With a smile, Brittany glanced over to Samuel as they rode down the drive to the Sexton mansion. For the past two days they’d been out talking with the tenants alerting them of possible strangers in the area.
In the evening they reviewed several of the books on Africa she’d brought from London. Slowly, she’d noticed a pattern developing which she brought to his attention.
“M’ lord, do you believe my godmother and Lord Cole will arrive today?”
“If everything goes as planned I can’t think why not. The other question, when is someone going to make another attempt on the book?”
That had been something which had weighed on her mind ever since they’d arrived. Of the tenants they’d spoken with and the staff who lived in or around town no strangers had arrived. Could this person believe the book to be enroute and wished to wait its arrival? But to what end? Wouldn’t it be easier to grab the tome while bringing it to the estate? That is, if they knew who’s possession it was in.
“My dear, they must be aware the tome isn’t here. I believe they need to set certain events in motion before they try to relieve you of it. Before you ask, I’ve no idea what they could be? We’ve done everything possible to ensure its safety,” Samuel said, as he leaned over, patting her on the hand.
Then she had an idea. Where might they obtain another copy without having to return to London? The closest large town where they could purchase one was about three hours from here. Who, though, could they trust to make the trip?
“M’ lord, I might have a suggestion on how to protect our copy when it arrives but I wish to discuss this plan with my parents first,” she told him, then tapped her heel against Patti’s side sending the mare into a comfortable canter.
The sound of hooves catching up brought a smile to her lips. As they raced up the drive and not until they were about to enter the courtyard did she slow to a walk. There, she saw not one, but two traveling carriages. Examining the seals on the doors she knew one was her godmother’s, while the other belonged to Sally’s parents.
“It would seem Cole is going to be occupied if Miss Sally Crocker traveled with her parents,” Samuel said, swinging off Tempests’ back, he turned the reins over to a groom then marched over to Brittany still seated on her horse.
With a smile Brittany waited for him to free her left foot from its stirrup, then gently grasped her around the waist and he lowered her to the ground. Everything seemed to slow. Her breathing. Her thoughts. They became the only two in the world. Standing so close to him, she had to tilt her head up to look at him, becoming easily entranced in his lips. How would they taste? Granted, she’d never been kissed, but now more than ever she wished he would put aside appropriate behavior and do what she longed for. Yes, she’d read about kissing in some of the romance novels she loved to read. Could it be as heavenly as the characters suggested? Unfortunately, a joyful squeal brought Brittany back to reality.
Released from Samuel’s gentle grasp she spun around just as Sally rushed up. Brittany found it interesting that Lord Cole trailed behind Sally, as a puppy dog would.
“Yes, it seems your friend is smitten by mine,” she whispered, earning a chuckle from Samuel.
“On that you’re correct, but he refuses to admit it,” he replied in a low voice, before stepping aside so the two ladies could hug.
Once separated, Brittany stepped back.
“I hadn’t
“Yes, that would be good and I’ll start with the village. I spoke with the senior staff and they have several who live in or near town. They’ll pass the word to be on the lookout for strangers. I feel strongly within two days the entire district will be alerted,” Eli added, just as Peter stepped in to announce dinner.
Chapter Fifteen
With a smile, Brittany glanced over to Samuel as they rode down the drive to the Sexton mansion. For the past two days they’d been out talking with the tenants alerting them of possible strangers in the area.
In the evening they reviewed several of the books on Africa she’d brought from London. Slowly, she’d noticed a pattern developing which she brought to his attention.
“M’ lord, do you believe my godmother and Lord Cole will arrive today?”
“If everything goes as planned I can’t think why not. The other question, when is someone going to make another attempt on the book?”
That had been something which had weighed on her mind ever since they’d arrived. Of the tenants they’d spoken with and the staff who lived in or around town no strangers had arrived. Could this person believe the book to be enroute and wished to wait its arrival? But to what end? Wouldn’t it be easier to grab the tome while bringing it to the estate? That is, if they knew who’s possession it was in.
“My dear, they must be aware the tome isn’t here. I believe they need to set certain events in motion before they try to relieve you of it. Before you ask, I’ve no idea what they could be? We’ve done everything possible to ensure its safety,” Samuel said, as he leaned over, patting her on the hand.
Then she had an idea. Where might they obtain another copy without having to return to London? The closest large town where they could purchase one was about three hours from here. Who, though, could they trust to make the trip?
“M’ lord, I might have a suggestion on how to protect our copy when it arrives but I wish to discuss this plan with my parents first,” she told him, then tapped her heel against Patti’s side sending the mare into a comfortable canter.
The sound of hooves catching up brought a smile to her lips. As they raced up the drive and not until they were about to enter the courtyard did she slow to a walk. There, she saw not one, but two traveling carriages. Examining the seals on the doors she knew one was her godmother’s, while the other belonged to Sally’s parents.
“It would seem Cole is going to be occupied if Miss Sally Crocker traveled with her parents,” Samuel said, swinging off Tempests’ back, he turned the reins over to a groom then marched over to Brittany still seated on her horse.
With a smile Brittany waited for him to free her left foot from its stirrup, then gently grasped her around the waist and he lowered her to the ground. Everything seemed to slow. Her breathing. Her thoughts. They became the only two in the world. Standing so close to him, she had to tilt her head up to look at him, becoming easily entranced in his lips. How would they taste? Granted, she’d never been kissed, but now more than ever she wished he would put aside appropriate behavior and do what she longed for. Yes, she’d read about kissing in some of the romance novels she loved to read. Could it be as heavenly as the characters suggested? Unfortunately, a joyful squeal brought Brittany back to reality.
Released from Samuel’s gentle grasp she spun around just as Sally rushed up. Brittany found it interesting that Lord Cole trailed behind Sally, as a puppy dog would.
“Yes, it seems your friend is smitten by mine,” she whispered, earning a chuckle from Samuel.
“On that you’re correct, but he refuses to admit it,” he replied in a low voice, before stepping aside so the two ladies could hug.
Once separated, Brittany stepped back.
“I hadn’t
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